Strip and nonstrip electrical connection



DCC 17, 1968 B. E. sHLEsnNGER, JR 3,417,195

STRIP AND NONSTRIP ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed March 6. 1968 4Sheets-Sheet 1 D 17, 1968 B. E. SHLESINGER, JR

STRIP AND NONSTRIP ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 4 Sheets-Sheet z Filed March e,1968 i &1 V/l/ INI-:RT GAS ii on LIQUID De@ 17, 1968 B. E. sHLEslNGER,JR 3,417,195

STRIP AND NONSTRIP ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed March 6, 1968 4Sheets-Sheet 5 WHL INERT GAS OR LIQUID Dec. 17, 1968 s. E. 5ml-:SINGERJR 3,417,195

STRIP AND NONSTRIP ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed March e. 1968 4Sheets-Sheetl 4.

94 82 Taj ,90 88 45] 96 se 9o www@ United States Patent Oftice 3,417,195Patented Dec. 17, 1968 3,417,195 STRIP AND NONSTRIP ELECTRICALICONNECTION Bernard Edward Shlesinger, Jr., Annandale, Va., assignor toAMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Continuation-n-part of application Ser. No. 556,112,

.lune 8, 1966. This application Mar. 6, 1968, Ser.

33 Claims. (Cl. 174-84) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The combination of anelectrical connection including a connector receptacle having a pair ofinsulated conductors sealed in the receptacle and each having aconductive end face; and, a flowable conductive material in thereceptacle in contact with the end faces, and the receptacle havingpermanently, radially contracted, crimped, sealing, clamping andpositive positioning means for preventing pull-out of the conductors;and a packaged insert for said owable conductive material having aninert material in association with the conductive material.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OBJECT AND SUMMARY This invention pertains toconnectors for wire, cable, or the like and more specilically tosleeve-type connectors for insulated cable that has not been strippedfor connection and is a continuation-in-part of by application Ser. No.556,112, led Jaune 8, 1966, now abandoned.

In development of connectors, use has been made principally of a solidconnection such as a crimp connection or a soldered connection. In thecase of solder or crimp connections, insulated w-ire or able for themost part lmust 'be stripped in order to make a -good connection. In thecase of some crimp connections, stripping is unnecessary due to thepiercing effect of some types of crimp connectors. Piercing does notalways produce a positive connection and frequently the conductor is cutthrough during the crimping operation thus destroying the connection.Furthermore, crimping sometimes weakens the conductor and duringvibrational stresses and the like, the conductor breaks causing a faultin the circuit.

It is an object of this yinvention to provide a connector which willreduce breakage of the conductor.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a connector whichdoes not require stripping of the conductors.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a connector whichcan be manufactured inexpensively on a mass-production basis.

Yet another object of this invention is to produce a connector whichywill provide a good connection between non-stripped conductors and onewhich will maintain this connection for a long period of time withoutmalfunction.

Still another object of this invention is to produce a connector whichcan easily lbe installed with a minimum amount of effort by theinstaller and minimum time in instructing the installer as to the useand operation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a connector which manbe manufactured from readily available and inexpensive materials.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector which formswith the conductors a sealed unit waterproofed and airtight.

A further object of this invention is to provide a .connector whichutilizes such materials as sodium, potassium, lithium, mercury,germanium, gallium, and their alloys as well as conductive natural andsynthetic resins.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector and a sealedcapsule having an active metal therein with means for rupturing thecapsule when the connector is applied.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sealed connectorand adapter means for the ends of the conductors to be connected forpiercing a .capsule of active conductive material in order to make aconnection therebetween.

SUMMARY In summary, this invention relates more specifically to theutilization of a connector having within it a owable conductive materialwhich will make connection between two conductors when pressure isapplied to the outside surface of the sleeve thereby forcing theconductive material against the conductor in the insulated Wire orcable.

The use of heat or ultrasonic waves or the like may further be used toset the material contemplated by this invention which would includemetals, their alloys, or plastics which are generally in a semifluid orfluid state prior to connection. Such materials which will amalgam andharden or which will set in the nature of thermosetting or thermoplasticresins having conductive llers therein are contemplated by thisinvention. Such metals as sodium, potassium, lithium, mercury, andgermanium, gallium and their alloys are typical. Natural and syntheticresins including rubbers, acrylates, epoxides, and the like havingconductive fillers therein and other similar type resins are typical ofthe type compositions of plastic which may be used. It is contemplatedthat in some instances the resin itself may not set but may retain itsoriginal semiplastic consistency and be maintained under pressure at alltimes to make a positive connection. Such a technique would also beutilized in the case of certain metals or their alloys.

These and other objects of this invention will Ibe aplparent from thefollowing description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example variousembodiments of this invention:

FIGURE 1 is a cross sectional view of the connector showing conductorsabout to be inserted therein and portions of the conductors being shown-in section;

FIGURE 2 shows the connector of FIGURE 1 as applied to the conductorswith portions of the assembly shown in cross section.

FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4 are cross sectional views showing furtherembodiments of this invention;

FIGURE 3 shows the connector and FIGURE 4 shows the entire assembly;

FIGURE 5 and FIGURE 5A show cross sectional views of modifications ofthe conductor;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view of an entire assembly showing yet afurther embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of yet another embodimentof the connector;

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view showing a packaged insert as taughtby this invention;

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 9--9 in FIGURE8 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

y FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view of an assembly showing stillanother modification of this invention prior to crimping;

FIGURE 1l is the assembly shown in FIGURE 10 subsequent to crimping;

FIGURE 12 is yet another embodiment of an i-nsert as taught by thisinvention shown in cross section;

FIGURES 13 and 14 are still further embodiments of this inventionshowing various assemblies in cross section;

FIGURE 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating yet a furtherembodiment of the packaged connector;

FIGURE 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating a multiple connector astaught by this invention;

FIGURE 17 is a cross sectional view illustrating yet another embodimentof the packaged connector;

FIGURE 18 is a cross sectional view of the receptacle of FIGURE 17 butwithout theconductor inserts;

' FIGURE 19 is an exploded view shown in cross section of the sleevecoupling and the conductors;

FIGURE 20 is a cross sectional view of the conductors and the sleeve invassembled relation prior to crimping of the crimp rings;

FIGURE 21 is a top plan view taken along the lines 21-21 of FIGURE 19and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 22 is a cross sectional view of another modifcation of theinvention with the conductors inserted and prior to crimping of thesleeves; FIGURE 23 is a cross sectional view of the inventionillustrated in FIGURE .22 after crimping operation;

FIGURE 24 is `a cross sectional view of a capsule having the lancingmeans enclosed therein.

FIGURES 1 THROUGH 4 In FIGURE 1, the cable or wire C includes insulation2 and a conductor element 4. The connector S as illustrated in FIGURES 1through 4 comprises a sleeve 6 which may `be of metal, plastic, or othermaterial which may be compressed or otherwise shrunk or deformed. In thecase of a metal sleeve, an insulating material 8 would be coated on theinside thereof. If the sleeve 6 were plastic, the insulated coatingwould be unnecessary. Where the metal sleeve 6 would be exposed to theelements, it might be advisable to have an additional coating on theoutside thereof (not shown). The sleeve 6 is provided with grippingflanges at either end thereof for purposes hereafter described. Withinthe sleeve 6, and in a central area which may be an annular bead orribbed area 12 as illustrated in FIGURE 1, is located a owableconductive material M such as a conductive plastic, or a conductivemetal such as sodium, potassium, lithium, mercury, gallium, germanium,or their alloys. Various types of conductive plastics include highpercentages of carbon for conductive purposes. The conductive materialmay be injected or otherwise positioned in the connector S by automaticmachinery or the like.

In FIGURE 2, the conductors C are shown positioned within the connectorS which has been deformed and reduced in size from the dotted lines asillustrated in FIG- URE 2. The anges 10 now bite into the insulation 2of the conductors C to maintain and lock the conductors in the sleeve.Due to the reduction in size which can be accomplished by means of adeforming tool or machine, the llowable conductive material M flows upagainst and abuts the conductors 4 to bridge the gap therebetween andclose the circuit. Since the crimping or compressing operation puts thematerial M under pressure, a good and lasting contact is made. If theowable conductive material M is such which will amalgamate with theconductor 4 and subsequently harden, a strong bond is establishedbetween the conductive material M and the conductor 4 which will not bedisrupted under normal usage. Where the resin composition of theflowable conductive material M is such which will set and solidify withtime or by the application of heat, a strong and permanent bond is madebetween the two conductors C. It will be obvious that several ribs maybe formed by the crimping tool to further clamp the insulation materialand prevent the conductor C from Ibeing stripped from the connector S.

In FIGURE 3, an insert 14 in the connector S tends to align theconductive materal and maintain the diam` eter of the conductivematerial to the approximate diameter of the conductor such as 4 in thecase of FIGURE 1. The insert 14 would be in restricted area 16 and uponcompression, as illustrated by the arrows, will cause the conductivematerial M to flow outwardly toward the wire or cable C and into contactwith the conductor 4.

In FIGURE 4, the connector S is shown positioned on the cable or wires Cand the flowable material M is maintained under compression by means ofthe `deformation recess 18 which has been formed by a crimping tool orthe like.

FIGURES 5 AND 5A FIGURES 5 and 5A show the cables or wires C with theends cut on a bias as in the case of FIGURE 5 or beveled to a point asin the case of FIGURE 5A. The reason for cutting the wires in theconfiguration shown in FIGURES 5 and 5A is to expose a greater conductorarea for the purposes of making a better contact when the cable or wireis inserted into the connector S. More bonding area is available `and. abetter piercing point is provided so that the end of the cable whenpushed into the sleeve S will actually penetrate and imbed itself intothe flowable conductive material prior to the crimping or reducing insize of the connector.

FIGURES 6 AND 7 In the modification in FIGURE 6, the conductors 4 of thewires C are inserted into the connector S in abutting relationship withthe flowable conductive material M. The connector S is provided ateither end with crimp rings 20. A third crimp ring 22 is centrallylocated of the connector sleeve S. In this figure, the sleeve S maybe ofa plastic material and the crimp rings 20 and 22 will be of -rnetal suchas aluminum or steel. When a crimping fonce is applied to the rings 20,the diameter of the sleeve S is reduced and clamps in the area of therings about the cable C to prevent its being withdrawn from the sleeveS. Since the metal of the rings 20 will relax very slightly from theircrimped position, a -firm grip will be maintained at all times on thecable or wire C. Upon crimping of the rings 20, ring 22 is subsequentlycrimped in order to compress and cause the material M to ilow :and abutthe ends of the wires or cables C thus making positive contact. In thisinstance, a continuous deformable sleeve is unnecessary as would tbe thecase in FIGURES 1 and 2 for example.

FIG'URE 7 which shows the end of the sleeve S is provided with athreaded tapered wedge 24. The ends of the connector S are threaded andprovided with a taper corresponding to the tapered sleeve or clampingnut 24. Slots 26 may be provided to permit ease in threading of the nut24 on a sleeve S. The nuts 24 may be polygonal so that a wrench orsimilar tool may be used to tighten the nuts and thereby clamp the cablein the sleeve S. Where the sleeve S is plastic, it will be unnecessaryto provide slots 26.

FIGURES 8 THROUGH l2 In instances where the composition may be highlyoxidative for example sodium, potassium, and lithium, the metals ortheir alloys vmust be protected by an inert material to avoid oxidation.A hydrocarbon liquid or an inert gas may be utilized. FIGURE 8 shows aninsert in which the metal of the deformable material M is shaped incylindrical fashion having a reduced central diameter. It lwill be seenthat the central portion 28 is considerably smaller in diameter than theend portions 30. The o`wable conductive material M is wrapped orencapsuled by means of a `wrapper 32 so as to provide an annular pocket34 in which the inert liquid or gas is trapped `for preservation andstabilizing of the active metal. The wrapper may be foil or plastic orthe like.

FIGURES l0 and 11 show the lowable conductive material packaged andinserted in the connector S. FIGURE 10 shows the packaged insert priorto compression of the rings 20 and 22. The plastic wrapper or the like34 is still in position maintaining the oxidated material M in an inertenvironment. FIGURE 11 shows the crimp rings 20 and 22 after crimpingand the clamping action on the wires C and on the tlowable conductivematerial M by the clamp rings 20 and 22. It is noted that upon clampingof the clamp ring 22, the envelope or cover wrapper is ruptured at theends permitting the material to ilow and make positive contact with theconductors 4 of the wire or cables C. The gas in the envelope or capsuleor the liquid as the case may be, is displaced by the crimping actionand relocated in an area not interfacing with the actual electricalconnection.

FIGURES 13 AND 14 FIGURES 13 and 14 show adapters generally indicated at42 having a nail-type conductor 44 extending out through an opening 46in the rear of the adapter 42. A button 48 contacts the llowablematerial M. In FIG-URE 13, the cable C is inserted and the compressionring 50 secures the cable within the adapter 42 and simultaneouslycompresses the conductive material M to make contact between theconductor 44 and the conductor 4. In FIGURE 14, the end of the cable Cis beveled as at 52 and the adapter 42 is heat-shrunk onto the. cable Cthereby applying pressure to the conductive material M in order to makepositive contact between the conductor 44 and the conductor 4.

FIGURE In FIGURE 15, the sleeve S, is encapsulated by a membrane ofpackaging material such as foil or plastic 54. The plastic materialcovers the rings `and 22 to maintain the entire connector in cleancondition prior to use. When the connector is used, the ends are piercedby the cables C or by some other means and the cables are forced toengagement with the conductive material M. Application of crimpingforces to the rings 20 and 22'in the manner heretofore describedcomplete the electrical connection.

FIGURES 16 THROUGH 18 FIGURES 16 through 18 show :a multiple housing Hhaving a chamber 56 for receiving the conductive material M. A series ofports 58 open into the chamber 56. The ports are threaded Ifor thereceipt of jacks 60. The ports 58 are closed off by a sealing member 62.When a jack 60 is inserted into the openings 58, the seal member 62 isperforated and the end 64 of the jack 60 comes into contact with theconductive owable material M. Any number of openings 58 for receipt ofthe jacks 60 can be provided as desired.

FIGURE 17 is modied only slightly and includes the openings 58. Conicalshaped buttons -66 having openings 68 Ifor receiving the conductor 70are provided. The buttons 66 may operate in the same manner as the nut24 in FIGURE 7 and may be split or not as desired. When the wires C areinserted in the opening in the buttons 66, and the buttons :are forcedintothe housing H, the wires come into contact with the conductivematerial in the chamber `66 and produce a proper contact.

FIGURE 18 merely shows the housing similar to that in FIGURE 17 and theseal membrane 72 covering the openings 74. The conductive material ispackaged in the housing H and maintained in a sealed relationship in thehousing until suc'h time as the membrane of the sealing material 72 ispierced.

FIGURES 19 THROUGH 21 In FIGURE 19, the conductors C are provide-d withinsulated sheaving 80. The conducto-rs C have conductive material 1Msuch as sodium or the materials aforementioned. For heavy loads, thematerial M may be an inch or more in diameter. Since the material insome instances may be highly reactive to moisture an-d the like, a goodseal with the connector sleeve S is essential. A pair of caps y82 areprovided which slip over the ends of the conductors C. The caps areprovided with lancing means 84. Any suitable lancing 84 may be providedat the end of the cap 23 in order to properly pierce the capsule orcotainer 86 which holds the active conductive material M, sealed frommoisture or the like. Once the end walls 88 of the capsule 86 are lancedor pierced, the material M in the capsule will, as will be hereinafterdescribed, flow and become merged with the material M in the conductorsC. The lance portion 84 of the caps 82 may be of a conductive materialbut preferably of a material which will not produce a violent chemicalreaction with the material M in the conductors or in the capsule 86.Making the lancing means 84 of conductive material will insure properconductivity upon connection of the coupling sleeve S.

The sleeve S is provided with shoulders 90 which limit the travel of thecaps 82 in the sleeve S. Once the conductors C have been inserted withtheir caps 82 into the sleeve S, compression rings 92 and 94 will firstbe crimped to lock the conductors C in sealed relation with the sleeveS. The sleeve will be of a nonconductive material such as nylon or thelike. After the rings 92 and 94 have been compressed, a certain amountof squirting of the material M in the conductors C will occur in thedirection of the material M in the capsule 86. Since the lancing orpiercing means will allow for flow of the material M in the capsule 86in the direction of the material in the conductors C, a good connectionwill under normal circumstances be made. Nevertheless, to further insureand maintain a constant pressure in the sleeve S, ring 96 will then becompressed to further strip the end walls 88 of the capsule 86 to permitbetter commingling of the material in the capsule 86 with the materialin the conductors C.

For underground electrical conduits, a good seal will have been alfordedby the connection and `because of the special crimping procedureutilizing the ring 96, a good electrical connection will be assured.

FIGURES 22 THROUGH 24 In FIGURE 22, the conductors C are shown insertedinto the sleeve S. The sleeve S is provided with conductive flowablematerial M such as sodium or the like, which is maintained in a sealedrelation by means of gaskets 98. The gaskets 98 are pierceable and/orfragible or the like. Shoulders 100 in the sleeve S are provided to aidin positioning of the gaskets 92. Mounted within the sleeve S is anelliptical spring conductive member 102. The ends 104 of the springconductor 102 act in the same manner as the lancing means 84 in FIGURES19 through 21. Compression rings 106, 108 and 110 are provided on thesleeve S. v

FIGURE 23 shows the connection after the crimping rings 106 arid 108 andsubsequently 110 are crimped. It will be noted that the crimping of thering 110 subsequent to the crimping of the rings 106 and 108 reduces thewidth of the conductor spring 102 elongating it so that the piercingends 104 will pierce the gaskets 98 or otherwise destroy them so as topermit the material M within the sleeve S to iiow in the direction ofthe material M p in the conductors C. The conductive nature of the con-'at any time within the sleeve capsule S, eliminating the necessity ofthe gaskets 98. It is obvious that the entire connector in FIGURE 22would be preassembled whereas this would be unnecessary if the capsule112 in FIGURE 24 is used as the capsule may be subsequently insertedinto the sleeve S and just before connection.

In conclusion, it should be noted that certain conductive chemicalcopositons may be hardened or set by use of supersonic or ultrasonicwaves in additionv to utilizing heat for shrinking or setting or both.These processes are contemplated by this invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with differentembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodification, and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth and fall within the scope of theinvention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: 1. In combination,an electrical connection including: (a) a connector sleeve, (b) a pairof insulated conductors disposed in said sleeve and each having aconductive end face, (c) a flowable conductive material in said sleevein contact with said end faces, (d) said owable conductive materialbeing selected from the group consisting of: sodium, lithium potassium,mercury, germanium, and alloys thereof, (e) said sleeve beingpermanently crimped into sealing and clamping engagement with saidinsulated conductors, and (f) means maintaining compressive force onsaid flowable conductive material. 2. In combination, an electricalconnection as in claim 1, and wherein:

(a) said end faces are cut on a bias.

3. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 1, and wherein:

(a) said connector sleeve includes at least one compression ring.

4. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 3, and wherein:

(a) said compression ring is imbedded in said connector sleeve. 5. Incombination, an electrical connection as in claim 1 and including:

(a) an insulated liner in said connector sleeve.

6. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 1 and wherein:

(a) said conductors are insulated to their end faces and exposed only attheir end faces.

7. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 1 and wherein:

(a) said means for maintaining said compressive force is a crimped ringpositioned about said owable conductive material.

8. In combination an electrical connection as in claim 1 and including:

(a) a cap on the end of each of said conductors, and

(b) said caps having conductive means inserted into said owableconductive material in said sleeve.

9. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 8 and wherein:

(a) said means for maintaining compressive force on said flowableconductive material in said sleeve is positioned behind said caps.

10. In combination an electrical connection as in claim 1 and wherein:

(a) said owable conductive material in said sleeve is encapsulated,

(b) said combination including caps on the ends of each of saidconductors, and

(c) said caps having means piercing said capsule and inserted into saidencapsulated material in said sleeve.

11. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 10, andwherein:

(a) said means for maintaining compressive force on said Iflowableconductive material in said sleeve is positioned behind said caps.

12. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 1 andincluding:

(a) sealing means for said flowable conductive material in said sleeve,and

(b) means rupturing said sealing means.

13. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 12 and wherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means is positioned centrally ofsaid sleeve.

14. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 12 and wherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means includes a pair of separatedisconnected lances.

15. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 12 and wherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means in said sleeve includes apair of interconnected lances.

16. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 12, andwherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means in said sleeve includes amember longitudinally-elongated and laterally constricted.

17. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 16 and wherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means includes an ellipticalmember.

18. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 12, andwherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means is primarily positionedwithin said flowable conductive material in said sleeve.

19. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 12 and wherein:

(a) said means rupturing said sealing means is positioned adjacent theends of said conductors.

20. In combination, an electrical connection including:

(a) a connector sleeve,

(b) a pair of insulated conductors disposed in said sleeve and eachhaving a conductive end face,

(c) a owable conductive material in said sleeve in contact with said endfaces,

(d) said flowable conductive material being a conductive resincomposition,

(e) said sleeve being permanently crimped into sealing and clampingengagement with said insulated conductors, and

(f) means maintaining compressive force on said owable conductivematerial.

21. In combination, an electrical connection including:

(a) a connector sleeve,

(b) a pair of insulated conductors disposed in said sleeve and eachhaving a conductive end face,

(c) a flowable conductive material in said sleeve in contact with saidend faces,

(d) said flowable conductive material being selected from the groupconsisting of: sodium, lithium, and potassium, and alloys thereof,

(e) said sleeve being permanently crimped into sealing and clampingengagement with said insulated conductors,

(f) means maintaining compressive force on said owable conductivematerial, and

(g) an inert stabilizer in said sleeve in contact with said flowablematerial. Y

22. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 21, andwherein:

(a) said stabilizer is an inert liquid.

23. In combination, an electrical connection as in claim 21, andwherein:

(a) said stabilizer is an inert gas.

24. A packaged insert for electrical connectors including:

(a) a rupturable receptacle having sealed closed ends,

(b) flowable conductive material positioned in said receptacle,

(c) an inert gas for preserving said flowable conductive material,

(d) said flowable conductive material having an annular recessed area,and

(e) said gas being a barrier between said flowable conductive materialand said receptacle in said annular recessed area.

25. A package conductive insert for electrical connectors, as in claim24 and wherein: f

(a) said tiowable conductive material is selected from the groupconsisting of: sodium, lithium, potassium and alloys thereof.

26. A packaged insert for electrical connectors includ- (a) -arupturable receptacle having sealed closed ends,

(b) fiowable conductive material positioned in said receptable,

(c) an inert liquid for preserving said owable conductive material,

(d) said owable conductive material having an annular recessed area, and

(e) said liquid being a barrier between said flowable conductivematerial and said receptacle in said annular recessed area. I

27. A package conductive insert for electrical connectors as in claim26, and wherein:

(a) 4said iiowable conductive material is selected from the groupconsisting of: sodium, lithium, potassium and alloys thereof.

28. A packaged insert for electrical connectors includ- (a) -asubstantially cylindrical rupturable receptacle having sealed closedends,

(b) owable conductive material positioned in said receptacle,

(c) an inert material in said flowable conductive material,

(d) said inert material being generally located in pockets at oppositeends of said receptacle, and

(e) said pockets being separated from each other by said flowableconductive material.

29. A package conductive insert for electrical connec tors as in claim28, and wherein:

(a) said owable conductive material is selected from the groupconsisting of: sodium, lithium, potassium, and alloys thereof.

30. A packaged including: ,I

(a) a rupturable receptacle having sealed closed ends,

(b) ilowable conductive material positioned in said rece-ptacle, and

(c) means within said receptacle having lancing means for rupturing saidreceptacle upon compression of said receptacle.

31. A packaged conductive insert as in claim 30 and wherein:

(a) said means for rupturing is elliptical in configuration.

32. A packaged conductive insert as in claim 30 and wherein:

(a) said means `for rupturing is conductive.

33. A packaged conductive insert as in claim wherein:

(a) said owable conductive material is selected from the groupconsisting of: sodium, lithium, potassium and alloys thereof.

insert for electrical connectors 30 and Hyde: Abstract of applicationSer. No. 206,902, published May 20, 1952; 658 O.G. 918.

r DARRELL L. CLAY, Primary Examiner. O

U.S. C1. X.R.

